Tortiemctortiepants
VA
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Joined: 11/09/2020
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Hello!
I have been trying to research the pros and cons of each and am finding myself getting more confused!
I am planning on relocating from VA to WA next summer, and also taking the summer to explore along the way (I work in schools so have my summers free). I will be moving with my pets (two medium dogs, a cat, 4 small birds, a bunny, a tortoise, and a snake).
Safety is my biggest concern, both for my pets (needing to have climate controlled places for them to be) and myself (as a woman traveling alone), but I don’t know which option would be the safest option...
A motorhome would be climate controlled, but I can probably only afford an older one (I have seen some mid-1990s to early 2000s listed that could possibly be in my price range), and I worry about how reliable they would be going over mountain passes, and if they did break down the ease of getting them repaired (finding parts, etc.). Also if it broke down and I had no ac, how to keep the pets cool in the meantime... unless I kept my current vehicle (Nissan Rogue) to tow behind and loaded them in there.
I have read that a travel trailer could possibly be rigged up with a generator in the bed of the towing truck to be climate controlled while driving, but I would have to buy a truck capable of towing a travel trailer. With a crew cab at least some of the pets could ride with me in the tow vehicle and be transferred to the trailer at night. A newer truck would be a big stretch on my finances, but might possibly be more reliable and easier to have fixed if broken down? I was initially considering an SUV with a travel trailer, but I have been told that the transmission wouldn’t be able to handle that much towing and that a full size truck would be best.
I would appreciate any and all suggestions from experienced travelers!!
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olfarmer
Iowa
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Joined: 03/29/2006
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Wow, that is a big decision. We travel with 2 cats in a motor home and in the past with a dog. I think as far as the pets are concerned a motor home is the best. They are with you so you can keep track of them plus they have their food and water, litter box etc. and they are more comfortable with you and they are able to move around as they wish. On the down side is a possible breakdown. Then you have to get the MH repaired and what to do with the pets. We have had to get towed twice and the cats were not happy about that plus we either had to leave them in the camper or find a place for them. We have done both. If you have a towed car that would be a help. With an older unit whether it is a motor home or a tow vehicle with a trailer, the chances of a breakdown are greater. It is expensive to get a motor home repaired but it is expensive for any vehicle any more. No matter what you get, you need to have the funds to get repaired or you better not go. The decision is yours, check out what you can afford and what you are more comfortable with. I recommend that you get towing insurance no matter what you do! We had to be towed 70 miles once and it cost us nothing, just think what it would cost to have a 30" MH towed 70 miles! Good Luck and best wishes!
Ed & Ruby & the 2 cats
2001 Winnebago Brave 30W
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B.O. Plenty
Minnesota
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Joined: 02/04/2010
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Full size rear wheel drive van and a trailer.
B.O.
Former Ram/Cummins owner
2015 Silverado 3500 D/A DRW
Yup I'm a fanboy!
2016 Cedar Creek 36CKTS
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Sjm9911
New Jersey
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There both right. And you have a zoo not pets! Just saying. Good luck.
2012 kz spree 220 ks
2020 Silverado 2500
Equalizer ( because i have it)
Formerly a pup owner.
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navigator2346
texas
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B.O. Plenty wrote:Full size rear wheel drive van and a trailer.
B.O.
I think BO has the right area.
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Lots of things to think about here.
BTW, I dont believe Rogues are flat towable.
Relocating with a gaggle of animals, including some uhhh unconventional pets? Don’t see that as fun or easy for months on the road, but idk. What do you do with a rabbit?
I kept them in pens outdoors as a kid. Dog crate?
I’d be thinking cargo van with a little camper if I had to do this.
Keep the menagerie in the van and you get to RV in the camper without it smelling like a barnyard.
Then you can hose out and air out the van when you get to your destination and the buyer won’t know it was a rolling zoo.
Better than the animals living in a RV for months.
"Yes Sir, Oct 10 1888, Those poor school children froze to death in their tracks. They did not even find them until Spring. Especially hard hit were the ones who had to trek uphill to school both ways, with no shoes." -Bert A.
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time2roll
Southern California
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Rent a MH for the summer. Probably a class C.
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
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craig7h
Branson MO area
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I think B.O. is on the right track for you. If you get a good med. to heavy duty van a long with a med size camping trailer you should be in great shape. You should be able to find both at good prices.
Itasca Meridian SE 36g
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bucky
Raleigh metro
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I agree with the van travel/trailer setup for your needs.
2005 Cummins 3500 2WD LB quad cab dually pulling a 2014 Blue Ridge 3025RL
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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In a trailer you are going to have your pet most likely in the tow vehicle with you. This may make things a tad.. Er.. Chummy (Close)
In the motor home I built a "Cat house" eventually the cats found a house they liked better. (I have a cat. used to have two but well cats don't last forever and Alex (the one that remains) is old enough to vote. As cats go. that's old.
Home is where I park it.
2005 Damon Intruder 377 Alas declared a total loss
after a semi "nicked" it. Still have the radios
Kenwood TS-2000, ICOM ID-5100, ID-51A+2, ID-880 REF030C most times
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